The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

Pirate-themed AC? Then I don't think it will be a true Assassin's game like we all want, too much focus on pirates. Still, I am interested.

For now however, I remain skeptical until further and better evidence has leaked.

Last time I checked, being an Assassin meant blending into crowds and delivering high-public executions.

Many people said that the Naval gameplay in AC3 could be expanded into its own game... Hopefully it is, but hopefully not into an actual AC game.

I'd hate to miss out on the story I'd miss by skipping a bullshit game like that.

If this rumor is true, I would love to free-roam with a ship instead of using it in missions only. Just be able to choose where you want to go and then go plunder a village or something. Problem is, this does not fit into the AC series in my opinion.

Free roaming with a ship would have been great for AC3... treat it like an expanded Frontier... British convoys for you to attack. Lone merchant ships to ignore/attack ("Your ancestor didn't pillage merchant ships"). Coastal communities to discover that aren't readily accessible via the Frontier map.

Hm. Free-roaming with a ship? I'm not sure how that would work. Realistically speaking, most people back then boarded ships either to immigrate or for business. Rarely did people sail for pleasure/exploration. And how would that work? Half the time, the player is just gonna stare at the water. Or the crew. Or the horizon. Or the HUD.

If there's another ship nearby, then what? Automatically board it and loot all its booty?

Perhaps this could work within a fictional world.

You're right about it not really working. I was just throwing something out there... Then again, they could always force you to stay within sight of a coastline. Then you'd be in shipping lanes, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIoeVaoeuso&feature=youtube_gdata_player

^ screenshots..

It official, its a full game. Not a dlc. Set to release early2014.

Basically this is a prequel to ACIII. No not haytham......HIS FATHER! Assassin\pirate. The setting is the Caribbean, we'll be able to explore the islands and what not.

.....haythams father sounds good....everything else,no.

Any thoughts?...

Hm. Doesn't matched the artstyle of Ubisoft, and seems rather sketchy.

Then again, Ubi did say that these games outside the trilogy would be developed outside the Ubisoft name, so we'll see.

If it is true, then I'm not buying that thing. Rather save up for WATCH_DOGS.

It's apparently done by legendary comic book artist Todd McFarlane (I only read that from one article, so it's not for certain) and it's a promotional poster for it, most likely not the game cover. AC3 had Alex Ross paint the first image, and that was only used for the steelbook case (which Stabguy and Ian both signed for me, a-thank you).

I'll end up buying it because I'm a gullible goosey face. I probably won't like it, but it'll get my money and I'll be angry about it afterwards.

Official artwork perhaps, boxart...
From the AC facebook account

Spoiler: Highlight to view

More info on Monday's detailed announcement.

Truer words have never been spoken.

TIMEOUT!

If this really is Haytham's father... then the entire AC franchise doesn't have anything to stand on.

Desmond is special. This is the premise of the entire series to date. Without Desmond's DNA, none of the ancestors would have been visited.

If someone ELSE can go into the Animus and see all the same ancestors, Desmond is no longer special.

The ONLY way I see this making sense in the grand scheme of things is if

Yes. I know this is thinking aloud via typing again. Sorry.

Stealth? Right through the fuckin' window...

AC has jumped the shark. They realize this. The only thing for them to do now is have and AC character literally jump a shark in the next game. And for this, they need an ocean. It's the only way I can make sense of this.

Also. This is to be set in 1715....

It sounds a little wonky but as long as it has parkour, hard combat and stealth, I'll be happy.
I can't make a judgement on whether or not I like the idea until I see a trailer or gameplay video.

As I read this the first time, I was like: naw, this can't be true! That would be fucking stupid!

Only I didn't realize that Ubi was already fucking stupid.

I have a question: what does "back flag" mean? Is it something floating in the air at the rear side of a boat?

There's an L in there... black... the color.

Ok... sorry I'm tired these days.

Must be all that speed-running... really tiring you out, huh?

It refers to the Jolly Roger (pirate flag, which is black), I think.

I believe it's not the interest here, but yes. Speedrunning + nanophysics PhD makes me quite tired.

just saw this for the next one...

[/joke]

You know I'm interested in the former, and the latter is like one floor down from my department at the university.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5V8HUNsI8g

Evidently Connor did knew about his grandfather...

Seriously, how the hell does he know this?

Achilles maybe?

As much as we don't like the idea of Black Flag, a little theory crafting never really hurt anyone.
So I want to discuss theories or predictions about how the three major gameplay systems would work in this game.
But first, let's lay down what we know already.
- It involves Haytham's father, Edward Kenway
- It involves ships, the sea and pirates
- It's an Assassin's Creed game

That last one is important because while AC has taken radical twists over the years - at least from what it was originally - it's still possible to see the "Assassin's Creed-ness" of it. The biggest difference from AC1 - AC3 is that there has has been less intelligence in terms of mission design. It's still the same Assassin's Creed we know and love, but it feels like something is missing because the caring and loving mission design Ubi had in AC1 and 2 was changed drastically. Anyway, onto what I want to talk about.

Parkour/Free-Running/Navigation
If we're to believe the rumor (or fact) that Black Flags will take place almost exclusively on a ship or on the sea, then we're very limited in terms of free-running mechanics. We've already seen the majority of free-running and exploration available on ships in Assassin's Creed 3, and while that was fun, there isn't much to give that fun staying power.

One possibility is that, while the game is predominantly about ships and pirates, we'll still be able to disembark on landmasses and fight Templars there. If THIS is the case, then Assassin's Creed's gameplay could get WAY deeper than it ever has been. We'll be able to explore a world, LITERALLY a world (or continents, if you wanna be a party pooper about it).

A second possibility is that the majority of the free-roaming would take place in Modern Times. The reason this is a possibility and not a far-fetched idea is because Black Flags is labeled Assassin's Creed IV. It doesn't only have the subtitle, it also carries a number. Considering what happened at the end of the previous Assassin's Creed.. Well, y'know. Yeah. Lots to discover in terms of story. At the same time, one reason it might be far-fetched is because Modern Times have never been given proper exploration apart from a little bit in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and a little bit in Assassin's Creed 3.

Stealth/Social Stealth
Taking and rolling with the idea of being able to disembark on land masses where civilization/people/cities are, this is also kind of cool to think about. Being a pirate carries its own kind of notoriety with it, on top of being an Assassin. Because of this, the main character might need to be incredibly charismatic; in order to avoid suspicion or just make people feel like he's a swell guy.

Edward could end up being the new Ezio in terms of style and charisma.
I mean, Ubisoft already knows that statistically speaking; the most loved Assassin was Ezio Auditore.
By that logic, they could easily make our new swashbuckling friend pretty damn slick.

In addition to the regular Social Stealth and regular Stealth mechanics we already have, something that hasn't been done yet in AC is ship stealth.

As far as I know, it was pretty tricky to distinguish a pirate ship from a regular ship if it didn't fly the Jolly Roger. That could lead to some interesting opportunities.

Combat
Ship combat could be fleshed out and upgraded from AC3's.
Curious to see how they'll do the regular, on-foot melee combat.
It's been slightly different every game.

Story
Anything can happen, with the ending of AC3 and all. Your guess is as good as mine.

I actually have disliked the free running on the ships, partially because I think the game gets confused by all of the shit you can hang on, run up, climb, etc. I've had times where Connor won't drop six inches from a rope to a beam for no apparent reason. I've also had problems where climbing Item X and climbing Item Y require seemingly identical approaches and the game arbitrarily decides which one you're going to be climbing.

I love the fact that Ubisoft offers variety and allows you to craft your own route, but if the extra additions end up creating stopping points (and this is leaving out the ridiculousness that is riding a horse and where the damned creature will and will not go) that the user can't see or understand, it becomes more of a liability than an asset, in my opinion.

An upgrade from eagle sense, eagle clairvoyance.

This could mean we can see Achilles in action.

Hey...

Maybe co-op with Achilles and Edward Kenway?

I can only dream...

Here's The Trailer

https://cdn.anonfiles.com/1362245692264.mp4

Not gonna lie looks really good!!!

The Game however we'll wait n' see

The trailer looks good!

I think DarkAlphabetZoup is going to be right about this guy being the new Ezio because of his charisma and style. He will probably be a nice mix of Ezio and Connor, on the one hand charming and on the other hand mysterious. I'm a little disappointed about an assassin with two swords and FOUR (!) guns though. It's too high-profile in my opinion.

So is this gonna be the first AC NOT based on historical events?

My best guess for the time period... the Slave Trade of the Caribbean might be front and center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NxO5Y4Gl69k

He seems like a combination of early Ezio and late Haytham.

What? Available October 29th?!?!?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YMcMph-TW9I#t=115s

As i look at the art for edward. I notice he doesn't wear the assassin symbol on his belt, nor his blades. Hell! He doesn't have the beak on his hood. So is he an assassin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLUCeSyXFSc

Trailer claims that Edward was trained by the Assassins...and him having near identical environmental counters as Connor/Haytham (seeing as he grabbed a beer bottle and smashed it to another's face while wielding a sword).

He's got to be an Assassin because he has the white hood!

But wait, in ACR, the "Sentinel" character in the multiplayer was an Assassin-turned-Templar and still wore a white hood.

I'm pretty sure that Ed Ken is an Assassin, though. The hood is an iconic symbol of the Assassins, and having us play as a Templar double agent through an entire game where you're supposed to be one is a little lame. Honestly, I think Haytham is simply the black sheep of the family. Everyone else is an Assassin.

Preview of Black Flag from EGM:
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/previews/egm-preview-assassins-creed-iv-b...

Lot's of interesting info~

I know I'm easily impressed, but still, this sounds great to me.
And did I read that right? I am 'the new Desmond'? And I'm also a researcher hired by Abstergo?

After reading that article.this game sounds ok. Just, i think he is an assassin gone templar,still.

I think they're going with how the story-line was in Multiplayer where you were the recruit, of course I'm not sure if it's gonna be changed up, with allowing some freedom of movement or it''ll be just a series of cut-scenes, I'm hoping it's the former personally... =/

So the 21st century parts are gonna be in first person...

Scroll down this article and go to 6:10 in the video.

Members like Phi and myself will be VERY happy of what this man has to say about the mission structure.

I really, really, really like this guy right now.